The Palo Alto College campus is bursting with talent, and among the standout students is Rebecca Valdez, an award-winning artist, a graduate of Palo Alto College, and a continuing education student. Rebecca spends much of her time in the art department ceramics room, working on her latest pieces. Her passion for ceramics and art has recently led her to an incredible opportunity: after submitting her work to a competitive residency application, Rebecca was selected to receive the inaugural Southside Living + Maker Spaces Residency. This prestigious award granted her the use of her very own studio space—completely free of charge—for six months, providing her with the perfect environment to cultivate her creativity. 

Rebecca’s relationship with art has been a lifelong journey. Growing up, art became her trusted outlet for self-expression. “I think that if I ever stopped doing art, I’d go insane,” Rebecca shared. “I’ve always worked on some creative activity, even before I was any good at it.”

Art took a more focused shape during her time at South San High School, where she joined the school’s art program. There, she discovered ceramics—a medium that would become her artistic foundation. “My first pieces weren’t great, but that’s how I fell in love with the medium,” shares Rebecca. “There is something so satisfying about seeing my ideas come to life as three-dimensional objects.” The tactile nature of ceramics and the transformation from raw clay to finished artwork captivated Rebecca, and she soon realized that ceramics would become a key part of her creative identity.

Over the years, she also embraced digital art as a complementary form of self-expression. Working with digital tools on her phone, she develops her ideas for her ceramic pieces through her digital art. “I use a free app on my phone,” Rebecca recalls. “I don’t think art is about having all of the fancy tools—it's about getting your ideas out there.” Rebecca credits this simplicity as part of her growth as an artist, showing that creativity isn’t limited by expensive equipment or fancy software. It’s about resourcefulness and finding new ways to express yourself.

For Rebecca, her digital pieces guide and inspire her clay creations, blending the best of both worlds to make pieces that are uniquely her own. “Digital art helps me visualize my ideas before I even touch the clay,” she explains. “It’s a way for me to map out my vision, and then I bring it to life in the studio.”

Encouraged by her ceramics professor, Cakky Brawley, Rebecca applied for the Art Residency, an opportunity that had never been offered to a student before. Brawley saw the potential in Rebecca’s work and urged her to submit her pieces, knowing that the experience would be invaluable for her artistic growth.

“I was a little nervous, to be honest,” Rebecca says. “But Professor Brawley really believed in me, and that gave me the confidence to apply.” With the guidance and encouragement of Brawley, Rebecca submitted several pieces that showcased her talent and unique vision. To her delight, Rebecca was selected as the recipient of the residency.

Winning the residency was a major milestone in Rebecca’s artistic journey. “I was completely in shock when I heard that I had won—this is a huge opportunity, so it was also a bit intimidating,” she says. As the first student to receive the residency, Rebecca became a trailblazer, a role she embraces with humility. The award granted her access to her own studio space on campus, free of charge, for six months—a rare privilege that allowed her to immerse herself in her work entirely.

For Rebecca, the residency is more than just a physical space; it’s an opportunity to nurture her artistic expression without limitations. “The studio is amazing—it’s cool and industrial-looking, which suits my style,” she says. The open, airy environment gives her the freedom to explore new ideas, experiment with different materials, and bring her creative visions to life.

Despite the excitement of having her own space, there were initial challenges. “At first, it felt a little overwhelming,” Rebecca admits. “I’ve never had my own studio before, and it’s a lot of space to fill up with ideas. But little by little, I’ve started making it my own. It feels like it’s really becoming a part of me.”

One of the biggest obstacles for Rebecca has been transportation. “I don’t have a car, so getting to the studio can be difficult sometimes,” she explains. “I usually only make it three days a week, which isn’t as much as I’d like.” Despite this, Rebecca makes the most of her time in the studio, balancing her creative work with her academic responsibilities.

Her persistence and passion for art shine through in her ability to overcome these challenges. “It’s all about making the most of the time I have,” she says. “When I’m in the studio, I’m fully immersed in what I’m doing, and that makes it all worth it.”

A unique aspect of the residency is that, at the end of her six-month period, Rebecca will leave a piece of her work behind as part of the residency’s history. This gesture is a way for Rebecca to leave a lasting mark on the space that has allowed her to grow. “It’s a great feeling knowing that my work will be part of the residency’s legacy,” she says. “I get to leave something behind that represents my time here.”

Despite her passion for art and the success she’s found as a student artist, Rebecca has no plans to turn her artistic endeavors into a full-time career. “I love art, and I always want it to be part of my life,” she explains. “But I don’t want to turn it into a job. It’s a passion, not something I want to rely on for income.”

Instead, Rebecca is focused on her finance studies, hoping to combine her love for art with a professional career. “My goal is to work as a financial manager for a museum,” she says. “That way, I can stay involved in the art world without losing the joy I find in creating.”

Rebecca plans to continue sharing her work through exhibitions and her online store, but she hopes to always keep art as a personal passion rather than a job.

Rebecca Valdez’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and the importance of finding a supportive community. From her early days at South San High School to being the first student to receive the Southside Living + Maker Spaces Residency, Rebecca has proven that hard work and passion can take you far. As she continues to grow as an artist, her unique blend of digital and ceramic art will leave a lasting mark on the PAC community. Whether she’s creating in her personal studio or sharing her work with the world, Rebecca remains committed to her art while balancing her aspirations for a career in finance—proving that creativity and professionalism can coexist.